Travel Guides

Castell de Santa Barbara

The impressive Santa Barbara Castle, that towers over Alicante
on top of the Benacantil Mountain, has its origins in the Muslim
rule of the 9th century, but most of the chambers that can be
explored today date from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The
fortress is massive, encompassing moats, drawbridges, tunnels,
cisterns and dungeons, not to mention a stately tower and keep. It
has endured many attacks, rebuildings and renovations during its
long history and was opened to the public in 1963. Today it houses
the Museum of the City of Alicante. From the top of the castle
superb views over the bay and the city can be enjoyed. The castle
can be accessed in an elevator from the Explanada d'Espanya for a
small fee (visitors over 65 are exempt from the fee), but if you
walk up to the castle you can take the lift back down to the
beachfront for free. The walk up from the beach is very steep -
with a lot of steps - and is only suitable for the fit, but it is
possible to drive up the mountain as well. The Castell de Santa
Barbara is a fascinating attraction, and the fortress is well worth
exploring extensively as the exhibitions and historical information
is very interesting, but if nothing else, the views must be
admired!